When the Streetlights Go On
When the Streetlights Go On

TV Show spotlight

When the Streetlights Go On

2020
TV Show
Ended
1 Season
English

A double-homicide in a small midwestern suburb rattles the lives of a group of teenagers and sends investigators searching for answers in the fall of 1995. A meditation on growing up, the passing of time, and the insidious violence that lurks in the suburbs.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes43%
Metacritic48/100
Google Users55%
Director: David M. RosenthalGenres: Horror, Thriller, Crime

Plot Summary

In 1980s Louisiana, a series of murders rocks a small town, and the events leading up to them are revealed through the perspectives of the young people entangled in the mystery. As the body count rises, the line between victim and perpetrator blurs, leaving everyone in the community suspicious of one another. The film delves into the dark secrets and hidden desires that lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.

Critical Reception

When the Streetlights Go On received mixed reviews. Critics were divided on its effectiveness as a horror-thriller, with some praising its atmospheric tension and period setting, while others found its plot convoluted and its scares uninspired. Audience reception was similarly varied, with some appreciating its attempt at a neo-noir crime story with teen drama elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film boasts a compelling 1980s setting and a strong ensemble cast.

  • While atmospheric, the plot is often criticized for being muddled and predictable.

  • The blend of teen drama and crime thriller elements doesn't always coalesce effectively.

Google audience: Google users expressed disappointment with the film's narrative coherence and pacing, with many feeling it failed to deliver on its thriller premise despite a promising setup. Some viewers appreciated the performances and the nostalgic aesthetic but ultimately found the story unsatisfying.

Fun Fact

The film was inspired by a series of unsolved murders that occurred in Springhill, Louisiana, in the 1980s, which gained notoriety as the 'Louisiana Axeman' killings.

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